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Gold Coast keen to lure big spending foreign tourists

Fri 21 Dec 2012, 1:21 PM AEDT

The Gold Coast City Council's CEO says the organisation is focusing on attracting more big spending overseas visitors to the tourist capital.

The council has released its annual report for the last financial year, highlighting achievements such as securing the 2018 Commonwealth Games and challenges like the separation from water retailer Allconnex.

Dale Dickson says the council is aiming to diversify the local economy but it is also working with the tourism industry and other bodies to increase the returns from international visitors.

"In particular we would like to think we are focusing effectively on the emerging middle class of China and also India and arguably Indonesia," he said.

"They're countries in the world where people are coming out of poverty and have more disposable income.

"We would hope over time and we are focusing on those particular countries amongst others."

Safety

The council also says it is keeping safety in mind when planning the future development of the city.

The annual report shows a fall in offences against people but an increase in property crime.

Mr Dickson says it is important the council and Queensland Government focus on ensuring the Gold Coast is a safe city.

"Property theft is generally a matter for the Queensland Police and not the council but in our planning for future suburbs, if you like, and future urban areas throughout the city, we're looking to design safe communities and things such as street lighting and visibility of public assets, all sorts of things that we take into account in planning for a safe city," he said.